Chapter Nine

I honestly thought today was the day to update but, as it turns out, I'm completely loony. I am so sorry – my sense if time is completely out of whack.

Jake POV

It was half annoying and half amusing to watch Hetani twitch and bounce with nervousness and excitement. It was the day after she had turned fifteen and, whilst I would be spending the day with Bella to make up for missing her the day before, Hetani would be going on a 'date' with Embry. I didn't consider it a date as they were just going for a walk in the woods and around La Push. That was why I protested about her clothes. My little sister was dressed in black skinny jeans with a creamy top that had one shoulder on and the other off the shoulder and her favourite tan leather jacket. She had told me that, despite Embry not taking her to lunch or dinner, she was going to dress up nicely. Besides, she'd argued, she was going to wear her wellies. I wasn't going to rain on her parade – she was so happy to finally be with Embry that I just couldn't do it. I admit, when I saw Embry kiss my baby sister, I was not impressed, but one shrug from Paul that said 'there's nothing we can do about it' and I let it go. I wanted her to be happy, after all. And Embry would never hurt her. Paul was another strange addition to Hetani's life. Although she didn't talk much in front of the others (something she had done since she had first come to live with us – she was very shy), she got along very well with Paul. It was funny to watch, actually and even funnier when Paul got angry at Hetani and she just walked away silently. I watched with unconcealed amusement as the door opened and Hetani almost leapt out of her chair before sitting back down in a huff when she realised it was only Paul.

"Are you trying to give her a heart attack?" I asked jokingly as he joined me in the kitchen doorway, where I was observing Hetani. He growled lowly at me.

"Why's she so tense anyway?" he asked instead of acknowledging my question.

"She has a 'date' with Embry." I put sarcastic finger quotes around the word 'date'. Paul snorted but I didn't know if it was at me, Hetani or Embry.

"Walk in the woods?" he guessed and I nodded as Hetani started tapping her fingers against the couch irritatingly. Embry wasn't even due for ten minutes!

"Hetani's idea, actually. She said that it would be better if they kept it simple, in case there was an emergency – in fewer words, though." Paul raised an eyebrow but I just shrugged. Hetani was very considerate when it came to the wolf thing, which was great . . . and really irritating because it meant that Embry just acted like more of a dope around her. I heard a truck approaching and both Paul and I watched Hetani, waiting for the sound to reach her weaker human ears. When it did, her head spun towards the door. I tensed protectively as footsteps sounded on the dirt outside then Embry walked through the front door a little shyly. Paul put a hand on my shoulder.

"He knows the rules," he reminded me and I sighed as Hetani slowly stood up and took the hand that Embry was offering. She looked at me with a small grin and waved goodbye.

"Take care of her! And get her to Emily's if there's an emergency!" I yelled as they left through the door, Hetani grabbing her zebra print wellies on the way. Something told me that Elisha, Hetani's best friend, had something to do with those. I just shrugged as they disappeared, knowing my sister was growing up. And that Embry was Embry – he would never harm her.

Hetani POV

I giggled as Embry spun me out from him slowly then pulled me back into his chest. We walked along a well worn, slightly soggy trail in the rich woods with Embry's arms around me from behind and my hands over them. He was wearing a shirt with the sleeves ripped off but I could still feel his impressive abdominal muscles through the thin material. He also had his regular jean cut-offs and slightly grubby trainers on.

"Did I tell you that you look beautiful today?" he asked in his husky voice and I giggled at the almost compliment.

"No," I answered, feeling him stop and I craned my neck to see his face.

"Well, you look gorgeous. And I'm sorry I didn't take you out to dinner or a movie or some-." I cut him off by brushing my lips against his gently. His face acquired a dazed look.

"Thank you. And I don't need dinner or a movie – this is perfect. Besides, I know how worried you are about that redhead, so I wouldn't want you away from La Push. I'm not high maintenance – a walk with you is all I need and want." I took a deep breath after my speech and took in Embry's goofy smile. He was so cute when he smiled like that and it made me feel all gooey inside. His face leant down and his lips pressed against mine in a sweet, simple kiss.

"I don't think I've heard you say so much before. You have a beautiful voice, just so you know," he complimented and I naturally blushed. I turned back around and we kept moving through the dense foliage. The sounds of little animals and birds in the trees were so soothing and I felt comfortable walking with Embry, not that that was unexpected. We continued on, trading stories and just learning random facts about each other. I found out that Embry sketched on the occasions that he had free time from homework, patrolling and chores, he sometimes transformed into a wolf just for the freedom of running and his favourite colour was brown. It was a warm colour, discreet but not forgotten and kind of shy – like Embry. Embry found out that I couldn't run to save my life (although I used different words than those to prevent him having a heart attack) because I wasn't made for running, I liked to walk in the rain because it was soothing and I liked the smell afterwards and my favourite colour was also brown.

When we made it to First Beach, Embry walked in front of me and I made a spectacle of myself as I jokingly tried to follow his large strides. Being unsuccessful but unwilling to let Embry match my pace again (he was practically walking with his legs together before), Embry bent down and I hopped on his back. I squealed with laughter as he bounced me playfully before walking along. I clung to his shoulders and rested my chin on my arms. It was so easy to be with Embry – so natural that I hadn't even worried about suddenly being boyfriend/girlfriend status. And then I started worrying. Was that what we were? We hadn't actually said the words to each other and I found myself beginning to almost panic. Embry, apparently feeling my tension, halted in his steps and gently pulled me around so that I was standing in front of him. He just raised an eyebrow at me and I instantly knew (not that it was rocket science) that he was asking what was wrong.

"What are we?" My simple question held a lot of weight and Embry's other eyebrow rose to join its partner. I knew that he knew that mentioning imprinting would not answer the question. Then he gave me a hesitant smile.

"I thought . . . that is, if you want, we were . . . you know, boyfriend and girlfriend." Once I got over how adorable he was when he hesitated and stuttered, I smiled widely when his words hit my brain.

"Good." That was fine for Embry who proceeded to lift me onto his back smoothly and we continued our journey down the beach.

Embry POV

I sat leaning against the rough edge of a rock (unbothered because it didn't affect me) with Hetani seated comfortably between my legs and my arms around her stomach. The date had not been what I had wanted to do for her but she was right – as long as Victoria was around, I wouldn't be able to concentrate properly if I was away from La Push and I needed to be close by in case there was an SOS. I had a calm feeling when I woke up though, like there would be no interruptions for Hetani and me as we progressed and got to know each other even more than before. I wanted to know absolutely everything about her and, after finding out that she wasn't the best runner in the world, knew someone that could run should always be watching out for her. Of course, we already were. With Jake – the protective older brother -, Paul – the worried new friend – and me – the terrified and protective imprinted wolf – in the pack, Sam really had no choice but to have someone near her. One of the two wolves on patrol would always be close enough to help her if needed, but not close enough that she would see us. I took a shaky breath as I finally came to the conclusion that it was time for her to see. I had put it off as long as possible but I couldn't let fear rule me anymore. Hetani needed to see my wolf form and judge for herself whether I was too scary.

"Hetani?" I breathed and she moved her gorgeous eyes to meet mine. Her head was rested on my shoulder lazily and I honestly didn't want her to stop leaning on me but she had to. "I want to show you something." She smiled at me encouragingly, moving her hand to hold mine in comfort. I grinned as I saw the bracelet I'd gotten her for her birthday and it didn't look like she'd removed it. I gently pushed her away and stood up, walking towards the woods. She may have accepted knowing that we were wolves and that I had imprinted on her but there was no way I was taking my clothes off in front of her. Jake would have eaten me alive if I'd done that. I saw the understanding light in her eyes but she didn't run away, instead just tensing as I disappeared into the tree line. I hurriedly moved out of her view and yanked off my shorts, shirt and trainers before letting the wolf take over my body. Grey fur with black spots immediately erupted from my dark skin and I fell on four paws loudly.

Good luck, Jared said in my head and I whimpered quietly. I could see the Treaty line flashing in his eyes and knew he was patrolling for Victoria near there. My thoughts snapped back into focus. What would happen if Hetani ran away? Would she be too scared? Deciding not to bother whoever else was patrolling with my unsettling thoughts, I bucked up my courage and tentatively moved out from the trees. My enhanced eyes instantly focused on Hetani who was looking at me already. Her eyes were wide and her jaw was hanging open. I stopped shifting towards her, figuring that she was petrified. Then she took a step forward.

Whoa, Jake said in shock. He hadn't expected shy little Hetani to approach me and neither had I. My muscles locked and I refused to move as Hetani slowly shuffled across the sand towards me. I was suddenly very conscious of the fact that I could hurt her in my wolf form and tried not to let my panic show on my face. She was so tiny, even smaller than when I was in my human form. She didn't even reach my shoulder. Hell, she barely reached my thigh.

Relax, you'll be fine. You're not angry, so she's safe, Jared assured me and I let his words make sense. They did make sense. I was calm, I was fine and Hetani would not end up hurt because of me. I almost jumped but stopped at the last minute when Hetani's small fingers wound into the fur at the joint between my shoulder and neck. A sound akin to that of a cat purring came from my mouth as she stroked me softly. She giggled at the noise and stroked a little firmer as I lowered myself so I was nearly her height. I butted her with my nose and she squealed playfully, smacking me with the force of a feather.

"Stunning." Her simple compliment made happiness swell in me and I nuzzled her neck affectionately. She wrapped her arms around my neck, fingers not quite meeting and she played with my fur.

Nice job, Embry.

Yes, very nice. Does this mean we can show ourselves too? Jared asked and I resisted tensing.

No! Both Jake and I protested.

She'll be too overwhelmed. Just stay away for now, I told him and he huffed but accepted. I tuned them both out and focused on Hetani who had pulled away.

"Can you transform in front of me?"

Don't you dare, Jake snarled threateningly, as though I had considered it. There was no way I was revealing my naked form to her. So I shook my head and she frowned. Knowing it would be best to explain to her instead of just nodding my head like a puppy on a dashboard, I ran back to the forest and transformed quickly. I pulled my clothes on, managing to get my shirt on inside out before righting it and bounded back to Hetani. She was waiting for me and hugged me when I was next to her. I lowered us both to the ground and perched her on my lap.

"Our clothes don't change with us when we transform," I stated and almost laughed at the furious blush that instantly lit up her cheeks.

"Oh," she whispered understandingly and I nuzzled her cheek gently, inhaling her scent of raspberries and fresh air. She was so innocent and cute and I couldn't resist her. I placed a soft kiss on her cheek before leading her mouth around to meet mine. Kissing her was unlike anything I'd ever experienced. She tasted exactly how I would want her to but I could never define it. Our lips were perfectly made for moulding together and my hands slipped over her waist in just the right way. Such was the power of the imprint that these things happened. And who was I to complain?

Yes, again. I'm very sorry. Anyhow, I'll see you in three days FOR SURE next time. Love Bianca :) x